Hybrid heartache: All-new Toyota LandCruiser Prado to stick with old-school diesel until at least 2025... but monster i-FORCE MAX hybrid could arrive soon after

Despite Toyota currently studying the hybrid i-FORCE MAX powertrain in the USA, and declaring it a "vehicle of interest", the brand says the all-new Toyota LandCruiser Prado will be offered exclusively with its 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine until at least 2025.

That's the word from Toyota Australia VP of Sales and Marketing, Sean Hanley, who tells CarsGuide that, while the more powerful hybrid powertrain is on the table for the Prado, it wont be happening in 2024.

"Our commitment is to reduce our carbon footprint. Nothing's off the table for Toyota. This is the positive side of having a multi-pathway strategy. We have great global resources, we have great capability. We have availability of vehicles around the world. We can select from under the Toyota banner," Mr Hanley says.

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"So we're looking forward to the years in front. Is anything off the table? No."

But asked directly whether the Prado could surprise Australia by launching this year with a new hybrid engine variant, Mr Hanley answered bluntly: "No."

That means the Prado will launch, and spend the rest of the year, with a 48-volt-assisted 2.8-litre turbo-diesel, which essentially carries over from the current Prado and HiLux. That means it will still produce 150kW and 500Nm, with power sent to all four wheels via a new Direct Shift eight-speed automatic.

But the powertrain many are salivating over is the one fitted to America's Prado, the i-FORCE MAX, which links a 2.4-litre turbo-petrol engine with a 36kW electric motor integrated into an eight-speed transmission to pump out a total 243kW and 630Nm.

It should prove both powerful and efficient, and still deliver a 2.7-tonne braked towing capacity – admittedly down on the the three-tonne-plus expected from the diesel.

While initially ruled out for Australia, Toyota has seemingly softened on the idea, instead saying the powertrain is officially "a vehicle of interest".

"Nothing to announce today, but (it's) certainly one that we're examining in the US right now. We won't rule it out because it's part of our multi-pathway strategy," says Toyota Australia's sales and marketing boss, Sean Hanley.

"It makes good sense to do that. We haven't confirmed that vehicle but it is certainly a vehicle of interest."

Toyota Australia's multi-pathway strategy is to reduce its CO2 footprint through a range of technologies, including BEVs, hybrids and even possible plug-in hybrids.